- A
Use 'gather_facts: no' and manually run 'setup' module with specific filter.
Why wrong: Incorrect: This reduces fact collection but does not cache them for subsequent runs.
- B
Use 'tags' to only gather facts on selective runs.
Why wrong: Incorrect: Tags control task execution but do not persist facts across runs.
- C
Enable fact caching using 'ansible_cache' plugin with a persistent backend like Redis.
Correct: Caching stores facts between runs, ensuring consistency.
- D
Disable fact caching and gather facts every time.
Why wrong: Incorrect: This ensures facts are fresh but not consistent across runs; each run gathers new facts.
- E
Set 'ANSIBLE_GATHERING=smart' and configure cache_timeout.
Correct: Smart gathering reuses cached facts within the cache timeout period, improving consistency.
EX294 Implement advanced Ansible automation Practice Question
This EX294 practice question tests your understanding of implement advanced ansible automation. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
An administrator wants to ensure that Ansible facts gathered from a host are consistent across multiple playbook runs. Which two actions can help achieve this? (Choose two.)
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Enable fact caching using 'ansible_cache' plugin with a persistent backend like Redis.
Option C is correct because enabling fact caching with a persistent backend like Redis stores gathered facts between playbook runs, ensuring consistency without re-gathering. Option E is correct because setting 'ANSIBLE_GATHERING=smart' with a configured cache_timeout allows Ansible to reuse cached facts within the timeout period, providing consistent data across runs.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use 'gather_facts: no' and manually run 'setup' module with specific filter.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: This reduces fact collection but does not cache them for subsequent runs.
- ✗
Use 'tags' to only gather facts on selective runs.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Tags control task execution but do not persist facts across runs.
- ✓
Enable fact caching using 'ansible_cache' plugin with a persistent backend like Redis.
Why this is correct
Correct: Caching stores facts between runs, ensuring consistency.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Disable fact caching and gather facts every time.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: This ensures facts are fresh but not consistent across runs; each run gathers new facts.
- ✓
Set 'ANSIBLE_GATHERING=smart' and configure cache_timeout.
Why this is correct
Correct: Smart gathering reuses cached facts within the cache timeout period, improving consistency.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Red Hat often tests the distinction between controlling when facts are gathered (tags, gather_facts: no) versus ensuring consistency across runs (caching), leading candidates to pick options that limit fact collection but do not persist data between executions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Fact caching in Ansible uses plugins like 'redis' or 'jsonfile' to store the 'ansible_facts' dictionary returned by the 'setup' module. The 'smart' gathering mode checks the cache timestamp against 'cache_timeout' (default 3600 seconds); if the cache is fresh, Ansible skips the 'setup' module entirely, using the cached facts. This is critical in large environments where re-gathering facts on every playbook run would be slow and could introduce variability from transient system changes.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the EX294 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this EX294 question test?
Implement advanced Ansible automation — This question tests Implement advanced Ansible automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable fact caching using 'ansible_cache' plugin with a persistent backend like Redis. — Option C is correct because enabling fact caching with a persistent backend like Redis stores gathered facts between playbook runs, ensuring consistency without re-gathering. Option E is correct because setting 'ANSIBLE_GATHERING=smart' with a configured cache_timeout allows Ansible to reuse cached facts within the timeout period, providing consistent data across runs.
What should I do if I get this EX294 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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